City ready to respond to noise complaints
KITCHENER — A bylaw officer will be standing by to respond to noise complaints for the Ever After music festival this weekend.
For this year’s festival — which started at Bingemans on Friday night and will continue until Sunday night — council set a new limit on the noise level and an earlier closing on Sunday.
The city is prepared to act if the festival gets too loud.
“We have a noise officer that is dedicated to the festival,” said Gloria MacNeil, the city’s director of enforcement.
The officer is paid for by the promoter. That ensures resources aren’t taken away from other parts of the city while the event is underway.
In January, city council approved a staff recommendation to change the Sunday closing to 9 p.m. from 11 p.m., as well as limit the noise the festival produces to 55 decibels in residential neighbourhoods, down from 65 in past years.
The changes were sparked by the 2017 festival that drew about 38,000 people over three days, and resulted in more than 130 noise complaints.
Anyone living nearby who is concerned about the noise level should contact Waterloo Regional Police at its non-emergency number, 519-653-7700. A bylaw officer will come out to the residence to measure the noise level to see if it is within the noise limit.
“They’ve brought in a new sound system this year,” MacNeil said. “I’ve heard very positive things about it … But we’re definitely prepared if it is an issue.”
It may be an issue on Sunday night. The online schedule lists an act from 8:30 to 10 p.m.
“It does appear that they’re planning on running past 9 p.m.,” MacNeil said.
If complaints are received after the time when the festival is supposed to be wrapped up, they’ll be handled the same way, with an officer dispatched to check on the noise level — only this time the decibel limit won’t apply.
The city would then decide if it will proceed with a provincial offences charge, which carries a potential fine of $300 to $10,000.
“We were firm on the 9 p.m. They were at council, so they are aware,” MacNeil said.
Promoter Rob Mattacchione of Beyond Oz Productions made it clear at the meeting that he wasn’t happy with the restrictions, but said he would comply.
“It’s problematic,” he told council. “I will not compromise the success of the event. We believe we have taken the appropriate steps.”
Last year’s festival was a busy one for police and paramedics.
Police received almost 350 calls, with nearly half related to drugs. Paramedics took 24 people to hospital for extreme drug and alcohol intoxication.